JakGramley

Rob, Actually, Bad Spot Bill, Bill Van Tassel, died of a heart problems several years ago. I think you mean his brother, Claude Van Tassel, who passed away recently at Loma Linda. Both Claude and Bill were long time friends to skydivers at Perris. Everyone here misses both of them. For those of you that are looking for a photo, this is Claude on the left - http://www.perriscam.com/images/PHOTO1481.JPG. One quick story about Claude. That man was like a bloodhound when skydivers lost gear. He could find a reseve freebag or cutaway handle like no one else. Anyway, on one skydive, a jumper lost a Dytter in freefall. The best the jumper could say was that it was in the north field (1/2 mile by 1/2 mile area north of the maintenance hanger). Claude spent the better part of 2 days, but found it and returned it to the jumper. That man was amazing! Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Andrea, Heading to Las Vegas. Going back into computer consulting work. If you are ever in Vegas.... Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Andrea, So noted.... however it would be much more effective if you delivered it in person. Think "Memorial Day Weekend". Although Linda and I will be gone by then, we intend to stop back for the DZ.com get together to say hi to everyone. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Sparky, The event is scheduled for May 22nd through May 26th. If I were you, I would get there early, like maybe April 9th, just to ensure you get in on all the action. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Betsy, I think there must be some kind of misunderstanding about this so called "DZ.com Boogie". From what I have heard, and from what I have read on DZ.com, it won't be a DZ.com boogie, it will be that DZ.com will TAKE OVER the entire DZ, but that they have agreed to allow other skydivers to use the facility during that same time period. If all of the DZ.com'ers that have promised to be at Perris actually show up, it will be more of an imvasion. LET THE FUN BEGIN!!! Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

For those of you that have been waiting patiently for the Super Skyvan to get it's new engine, your wait appears to be over! Sunday, 4/6, the Super Skyvan is scheduled to fly the first 4 loads of the day here at Perris. We will be ready to launch at 8:00 am and we anticipate flying it for at least the first 4 loads of the day. Get here early if you want to jump our tailgate aircraft! Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Actually, it is a Russian gum company and the commercial was never scheduled to play in the USA. I believe the first poster on this thread was from S. Africa and probably saw it there. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Well, as was pointed out, the plot line was a bit weak. The story was that the girl (a skydiver) steals his gum and he chases her to the plane as it is taxiing out. They fight in the plane for the gum and she jumps with it. He bails out after her and catches her in freefall. He steals the gum and creates a large crater in the ground. She lands her canopy, walks over to the hole and grabs the gum out of his hand. Pretty dumb, but they seemed pleased with it. Now here's the funny part. The guy is using a hidden rig and wearing a large, flowered shirt. What he doesn't know is that we have Jenna and Barbara Bush, the presidents twin daughters, here doing tandem jumps. We are filming the exit and tracking shots of the hidden rig for the commercial. So, we have one of the presidents daughters on the aircraft with a secret service agent, and about 3 or 4 other secret service agents standing around, blending in, and doing a good job of not being noticed. We had been asked to keep everything quiet, so no one really knew that the twins were on the DZ. Okay, secret service agents watching for anything suspicious, see this guy, without a rig but DEFINITELY with something hidden underneath, burst out of a team room (late for the load) and run to the aircraft that already has one of the twins on it. Needless to say things got interesting until we helped to sort things out. The end result was that no one was injured, no shots were fired, and everyone (except the agent in charge) had a good laugh over it. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

If it's the one I think it is, it was shot here at Perris in August of 2001. Guy without a rig jumps after his girlfriend just to get her Stimorol gum. Believe it or not, that took 3 or 4 days of shooting. You can see photos from that shoot at: http://www.perriscam.com/20010802.htm Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Ted, For what it is worth, I have had to hose off more than one rig. Hey, I just like to think of it as "off-road" skydiving. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

I will gladly write a note to your boss explaining that you have come down with the "blue skies flu" and that the only cure can be found at 12,500' over the sunny landscape of Perris Valley Skydiving. I am sure he or she will understand. Just let me know the email address and I will do that today. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

FINALLY! We have had a TON of rain in the last month. We are looking at 5 days of sunshine and temps in the 70's. Hopefully things will dry out a bit. While it was funny watching people bellyflop into various mud puddles, after awhile it loses some of it's humor. I only wish we could have had a mud puddle cam so that we could share it with the world. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Arthur, Actually, Shannon Embry died from a torn aorta, not a broken neck. And I would gladly answer any questions about that or anything else at Perris. message me at DZ.com or email me at PerrisCam@aol.com. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

David, Actually, the plans for the DC-9 to arrive may have moved up a bit. For those sceptics, I will be posting photos of it on the www.PerrisCam.com web site once it arrives and will make an annoucement on DZ.com. Best guess is before the end of February, maybe as early at next week. However, it will be several months before it is used for skydiving. Lots of work to do to make it skydiver friendly. If anyone has any questions, feel free to email me directly. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

I have to disagree with this. Not too sure it was your fault, but I do know this. We were lucky to have you here working for us and you remain one of the best loaders we have ever had. Please come back! Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Steve, Actually, the old guy was the one taking the picture. If you mean the young guy that is second from the right in the bottom row, that's Terry Sullivan. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Actually, we had a blast on Xmas Day. Rob was the pilot, I did the manifesting and loading. Turns out we have a BUNCH of crazy skydivers that figure that skydiving on Xmas is the PERFECT way to celebrate! We did 6 loads, starting about 10:30 and ran until 4:00. For a picture of some of the knuckleheads check out: http://www.perriscam.com/Images4/dsg44532.JPG Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

I would, but you guys don't start playing until after 8:30 pm. By that time my Geritol has stopped working. Hey, how about a hot game of strip dominos? Last one to lose their "Depends" is the winner! Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Yep, nothing like having an old grey haired man swooping the hot chicks. I hate to say this, but I have kids older than most of you. Now, where is my walker.... Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Hey Tadbad, just show up at Perris and ask for me. I would gladly show you around and introduce you to jumpers and load organizers. You can also call me at the manifest office at (909) 657-3904. I'll answer any questions or help in any way that I can. See you at Perris! Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Andrea made it to Perris today and I thought everyone might want to see some photos of her. As you can tell from the photos, she is having a hard time making friends out here. http://www.perriscam.com/20021110.htm Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

Jairo, Come on out! We have a good group of fun jumpers here today and are already turning back-to-back loads. Please check in at the manifest office so we can snap some photos of you to post on the PerisCam.com web site for your friends back home. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

To all of Bob Unzueta's friends: Funeral services will be held this Saturday, October 26th, at 1:00 pm at the Luben Family Mortuary in Long Beach. They are located at 5161 Arbor Road. For more information please call them at (562) 425-6401. The family is welcoming all skydivers. They are also requesing that donations be made to your favorite charity in Bob's name instead of sending flowers. It would be really nice to see a large group of skydivers attend to show our support for the family. Please help spread the word. I am not in the office this week and do not have access to my email address book. Please pass this on to all who might be interested. Thanks! Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

To all of Bob Unzueta's friends: Funeral services will be held this Saturday, October 26th, at 1:00 pm at the Luben Family Mortuary in Long Beach. They are located at 5161 Arbor Road. For more information please call them at (562) 425-6401. The family is welcoming all skydivers. They are also requesing that donations be made to your favorite charity instead of sending flowers. It would be really nice to see a large group of skydivers attend to show our support for the family. Please help spread the word. I am not in the office this week and do not have access to my email address book. Please pass this on to all who might be interested. Thanks! Jack Gramley Computer Consultant

We are really proud of the job that our pilots did for both POPS and JFTC. We sent them up in two waves, the Casa, Super Skyvan and Monterey Super Otter in the first wave and Shark, Gypsy, Super Otter and Kapowsin Otter in the 2nd wave. The last group started doing formation taxi operations half way into the POPS event, and by the time that the JFTC started they looked like the Blue Angles, taxiing out, turning in synch and then taking off at 30 second intervals. It was SO cool to watch. I had a bunch of whuffos standing by the fence one time and I took the ground to air radio and made like I was controlling the aircraft. I faked a call to "turn on my command" and the crowd at the fence all ooh'd and ahh'd like I had actually done something. Jack Gramley Computer Consultant